Refrigerating apparatus



July 1, 1930. J. G. KING y REFRIGERATING 'APPARATUS original Filed 0615.23, 1925 E25-:42222 azjzz E U5 Patented July' 1,"1930 v4UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '.IEssE G. KING, or DAvroN, oHIo, AssIGNon, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ro FRIGID- AIRE coronA'rIoN, A conronA'rIoN onnnLAwAItE` f REFBIGERATING APPARATUS Application led October 28, 1923, Serial No. 610,358.. Renewed December 3, 1927.

for Rerigerating apparatus, led October 10 23, 1923, there is disclosed a controlling de,v

vice adapted to stop and start the cycles of a refrigerating machine in response lto changes of pressure corresponding substan tially to changes of temperature vabove and .15 below a certain range 1n a part of the re-'- frigerating apparatus, said controlling device including a member which may be so adjusted as to increase the range of pres sure within which the device operates with- 20 out changing one of the limits. Said mem ber maybe set, for example, so that the higher pressum point at which the controlling device will operate may be raised while the lowerv pressure point-.at which it will operate remains the same. vIt is among the objects of this invention to render the said member eective or ineffective at will.

' The invention consists in a manually controllable means for achieving `the objects, 30

which is exemplified in .the drawings, described in the ensuing speciication and defined in the appended claims. Y'

In the accompanying drawings in which like parts areindicated by like reference characters throughout the several views,',-

` Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a refrigeratingcabinet with parts broken away to dis-v close a part y01:' the interior thereof and mechanism inclosed therein;

l the controlling device showing the application Iof this invention; and 4 Fig. 3 a section on the line 3-3 of Fig 2 and also through the front coxer plate of the machine compartment of the cabinet. An exemplary and preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described in operative relation to a standard refrigerating apparatus, of the compressor-con- Fig. 2 is an elevation of' a .fragment ofl the evaporating tank tothe denser-expander circuit type, incased in a household refrigerating cabinet.

In Fig. 1,' A -indicates the usual cabinet having in its lower portion a machine compartment B,housing a machine unit C comprising a compressor and its prime mover, a condenser, and a means for controlling the starting and duration of the alternate periods of condensing and expand- Aing-the refrigerant according to requirements in ordinary use. Bf. is a removable f'roiit cover plate for compartment B. D is the cooling or` refrigeratin'g compartment 'which contains the expanding unit, or boiler E, and 'F is the storage compartment for food' or other materials ,tobe.

'cooled,`there being air circulatingopenings G and H between compartments D and F. Suitable doors close the compartments D and F and afford access to them from the front of the cabinet.

The construction and relative arrangement of the Jcompressor, condenser and prime mover, constituting the essential elements of the machine unit C, may be such as is disclosed in the U. S. patent to Bechtold and lll'glSlowes, No. 1,276,619, patented August 20,

The cycles of the apparatus disclosed correspond tothehperiods of operation and non` operation of the condenser,-and, as the'operation of the condenseris effected by the prime mover, stopping andstarting of th'e prime mover 10, here indicated as an electric motor, stops and starts theperiodsof condensation and expansion. -4

The expanding unlt E may be suspended or otherwise mounted in the com artment D, as by hangers or brackets 11. t comprises the usual evaporating or expsansion tank 12 and evaporating tubes or coi which are not visible in Fig. 1, because immersed in a brine tank 13. Numeral .14 indicates thel liquld or high pressure conductorl'eading from the high pressure side of the compressor to the lower portion of the evaporating 'tank 12, and lfi'ndicates the low pressure or vapor conductor leading from the upper portion of ower pressure side of the compressor. According to usual practice a liquid control valve, (not shown) of any approved type, may regulate the discharge oit refrigerant from the conductor 14 into eva] orating tank 12.

A the] nostatic tube 16I has one end communicating with a bulb within therbrine tank and its other end communicating with a pressure-responsive device such as a diaphragm or corrugated tubular bellowsl 28 which constitutes a part of the controlling means hitherto mentioned. As there is a direct connection between the temperature and pressure of gases the pressure in tube 16 will Vary in accordance with the tempera- 15 ture of the brine in the brine tank. In the embodiment illustrated the motor 10 is started by a relatively high pressure in the thermostatic tube 16 (corresponding to the upper limit of temperature at the expanding unit E) at which the controlmechanism is set to operate so as to close aswitch in the motor circuit; and the motor is stopped by a relatively low pressure in said tube 16 (corresponding to the lower limit of temperature at the expanding unit) at which the control mechanism is set to operate so as to open the switch in the motor circuit.

The switching device is herein shown, for illustrative purposes, as an electric switch 80 for o ening and closin the motor circuit may e a snap switch not shown) of an suitable type disposed in a switch box 17 and adapted to be opened and closed by means presently to be described that re sponds to different pressures in the thermostatic tube 16. The switch box. 17 and a platform like extension 18 thereon constitute a base for supporting the controllingvmeans, by which the rod 19 that is connected to the switch may be moved to open and close the switch.`

From the extension 18 rises a plurality of rigid standards 20, the upper ends of whichl are reduced and l.support a rigid frame 21, whlch comprises an arm or projection 22 eX- tending over the switch box 1.7, and a part 23 that overhangs the platform-like extension 18. Threaded studs 24 are formed on the reduced upper ends of standards 20. These studs pass through holes in the frame 21; nuts 25, engaging said studs, secure the frame rigidly on the standards. A bearing member 26 depends from each edge of frame 2l between two of the supporting standards 20, each bearing member having a V-shaped notch 27 at its lower end. Although Figs. 1 and 2, being side elevations, show only one of these bearing members 26 it will be understood that as one depends from each '70 sida of the f rame 21, an elevation from the other side would'present the same appearance. Y

There are preferably four of the standards 20. In the space between standards 55 20 is a flexible diaphragm consisting of a tubular metalliclbellows 28, the lower end.

of which is sealed, fluid tight, to`said. platform-like extension 18 in any suitable manner, but is provided with an opening communicating with the thermostatic tube 16. The upper end of the bellows 28 is sealed to a head 29 from which an arm 30 extends beneath the arm 22 of the frame 21 and 'which is connected to the arm 22 by a link 31. Rising from the head 29 there is a central bearing standard 32 having a V-shaped notch 33 in its vupper end, the 'center or apex line of said notch being parallel with, but displaced laterally from the center or apex lines of notches 27 in depending bearings 26. A lever 34, constituting an operating member, is fulcrumed between its ends in the notches 27 by means of knife bearings 35. A knife may be fixed at various points along the arm v of the lever by means of a set screw 39. The weighted arm of lever 34 is preferablyl guided by a guide member 40, here shown as an L-'shaped bracket depending from the under side of the extension 23 of frame 21. Said guide member 40 has an elongated slot 41 which serves not only to prevent\lateral movements of the lever arm, but also to limit the range of oscillation of the lever 34 so that no undue strain may be transmitted to-the'snap switch after it has been opened or closed. The structure of the switch operating lever, its mount and connection to .the bellows is fully disclosed in an application of Bechtold and Mellowes, led February 5,v

1917, Serial No. 146,715.

As thus far described, it will be apparent that if suiiicient pressure is admitted to the bellows 28 the latter will expand and cause hthe lever 34 to move about .the vfulcrum on bearings 26, turning the lever so as to raise the weight 38 and to depress the opposite end of said lever thus forcing the rod 19 downward. This closes the switch. De-

crease of pressure' in the bellows 28 will permit the weight 38 to depress the arm of the lever on which the weight is carried and 'raise the opposite end, thus lifting the rod 19 and finally opening the switch. It will be understood that the switch does not make or break contact in the motor circuit until at or near the limits of movement of lever 34 and rod 19, in the manner characteristic of snap switches.

Associated `with the mechanism thus far described is a means for varying the temperature range of the evaporating period by varying the upper limit thereof without varying the lower limit. This means is de- .scribed and claimed in the aforesaid application of Jesse G. King and Sylvester M.

Schweller and comprises the elements to be now described. v

Pivoted by pin 42 on the upper side of overhanging extension 23 of frame y21 is an arm 43 upon which there .is mounted a weight 44 adapted to be slid longitudinally of arm 43 and to be secured in any desired adjusted position by set screw 45. The pivot pin 42 about which arm 43 may swing is mounted ybetween bearings 46 struck .up from a bracket 47 secured on the upper side ofxframe 21 by a screw 48 which may also serve to secure guide member 40 to the under side ofsaid frame. Bracket 47 projects over the end of extension 23 and has-two bearing ears 49 for a purpose to be presently stated. Arm 43 extends above the weighted arm of lever 34 and trends in the samegeneral direction. The amplitude of movement of the lever 34 is such that before it reaches the upper limit of its oscillation and before it has closed the switch, the Weight 38' will contact with th`e weight 44 when the latter is in its operative position, and said weight -44 will then add its resistance to `that of the weight 38 and delay movement of the lever 34 until additional pressure is built up in bellows 28 so that the switch will be opened only under a higher pressure thanv it would be otherwise.

By adjusting the weight 38 toward the end of lever 34, it will be apparent that the switch will open when the'pressure in bellows 28 is at a certain predetermined low pressure and the expansion unit at a corresponding temperature and that by moving weight 38 nearer to the fulcrum the switch will open only when the pressure in the bel-y lows isf .still lower, corresponding to a lower temperature atv the expansion unit; likewise that the difference between opening and closing temperatures and pressures may be vavied by adjusting the weight 38. It will also y be apparent that with the adjustable weight 38 alone controlling the rangeof pressure and temperature between opening and closing of the switch, the pressure that closes vthe switch cannot be varied without also 'varying the pressure that opens it. By add- `1ng to the weight 38 toward the end of its upward movement the resistance of weight l44, it will be perceived that the switch 4may be set to close at any desired pressure within operative limits without changing'the setting for opening the switch which will, in this event, open always at the same pressure. The weight 44 adds a non-elastic resistance to the movement of lever 34. This resist-l ance of course remains substantially constant on lever 34 after it has moved a predeternlmcd distance and picked up said weight Assuming the upward movement of weighted arm of lever 34 to be resisted by weight 38 alone, and that the weight be so adjusted on the lever that the switch will lfulcrum, so as to close the switch at a higher pressure and temperature, this adjustment would cause the switch to open under a higher temperature and pressure than it did under the previous adjustment. But by introducing the additional weight 44 in the upward path of movement of the weighted arm of lever 34 such additional resistance to the movement of the latter will be added that a still higher temperature and pressure must be attained, before the switch will vbe opened, without 'changing the temperature and pressure at which it will be closed.

In accordance with this invention the additional resistance may be rendered operative or inoperative instantly at will. The apparatus may be set to operate so as to maintain a given range of temperature say between 10 and-28 of the bellows 28 coacting with the lever 34 and weight 38 only.' Should the'expanding unit accumulate frost or ice to an undesirable extent, the additional resistance of the lweight 44, properly adjusted, may be introduced into the path of upward movement of the weighted-arm of lever 34, thereby raising the limit of temperature and pressure at which the switch will be closed so that the evaporating or expanding cycle will be prolonged and the temperature at the expanding unit will rise above 32 F. and cause the,

F. under'the controlas 50, carried by a rock shaft 51 which passes through holes in the bearing ears 49 on Vthe end 4of bracket 47 before described. The cam or tappet 50 lies between said bearing ears and the arm 43 rests upon it.'l Said l shaft 51 projects through the cover plate B of the machine compartment and. carries a finger lever 52 by means of which the shaft may be rocked from the exterior of thev cabinet. The construction and relationship of parts is such that when the cam or tappet is rockedS into position'to elevate the weight v44 beyond the extreme upper position of wei'ght38, said weight 44 will remain in this position untilthe shaft 51 is rocked back again whereupon the weight 44 will resume wveight pivoted on said frame and arranged to be interposed in the path of movement of said operating member, and a manually controllable device adapted to be interposed between the frame and arm,

. erating member.

and to be moved in such manner as to lift said arm at will out of the path of movement of said operating member.

2." In apparatus of the class described, a movable operating member, a pivoted weighted arm arranged to be interposed in the path of said operating member, a shaft and a lifting device connected thereto in position to engage said Weighted arm, and a manually lmovable device for rocking said shaft and thereby causing said lifting device to lift said arm from the path of said op- 3. In apparatus of the class described, a movable loperating. ,'member, a pivoted weightedlarm arrangedto be interposed in.

' the path of said operating member, a shaft carrying a cam disposed beneath said weighted arm, and a handle on said shaft for rocking the cam and lifting said weightof the path of said operating member.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, av movable operating member, means interposed in the path of said member, said being movable at will into and out of effective operative relation with the operating member without disturbing the adJustment of said adjustable means.

7 In an apparatus of the class described, a switching' device, a movable' operating member .for controlling the device, means set for normally regulating the operation of said member, and means for temporarily modifying the operation of said member,

said means including a pivoted Weight arranged toyi'eldingly resist movement of said operating member, said Weight being movable at .will into and out of effective operative relation With the operating member Without disturbing the setting of the first means.

8. In combination, a cabinet; a switching device Within the cabinet, a movable operating member for controlling the device, means set for normally regulatingthe operation of said member, means for temporarily modifying the operation Vof said member, said means including a Weight arranged to yieldi'ngly resist movement of said operating member, said Weight being movable 'at .will into and out of effective operative relation with the operatin 'member Without disturbing the setting o `the first means, and means extending to the exterior of the cabinet for moving said weight.

In testimony whereof I hereto ailix 'my signature. 1

- JESSE G. KING.

means including a ivoted arm and a weightadjustably carrie movable mechanism for moving said means from the path of said o erating member.v

5. In an apparatus o the class described,

' a movable operating member,l means interarm from the 'path o posed in .the path of said member, said means mcludm a pivoted arm and a weight adjustabl earned thereby,`and a shaft and a: lifting evice connected thereto in osition able evice for rocking said shaft and thereby causmgsaid Vlifting device to move said said operating mem- 6. In an apparatus of the class described, a switching devicel a movable operating member for contro 'ng thedevice, adjustable means for normally regulating the .operation of said member, and means for temporarily modifyingthe operation of said member, said means including a pivoted. weight arranged tov yieldin y resist movement of said operating memen'said weight thereby and manually to en 'age sadmeanS, and a manual y mov. 

